Police get control of Sylhet’s 'Atia Mahal' as army ends 'Operation Twilight'

Police have taken control of 'Atia Mahal' after para-commandos wrapped up their anti-terror operation at the building complex in Sylhet.

Bodies of two militant suspects, among four killed in the three-day raid, were still inside the five-storey building at Shibbari of South Surma, said Sylhet police’s Additional Commissioner Rokonuddin.

Police were given custody of the building at 5:15pm on Tuesday, he said.

“Bodies of two militants are still inside.”

Police’s counter-terrorism unit cordoned off the building at Shibbari Pathhanparha on early Friday. Later SWAT and army’s para-commando joined them. SWAT christened ‘Operation Spring Rain’ but had backed off amid possible danger. 

The final assault by the army para-commando started on Saturday morning.
 
The 1st Para-Commando Battalion led by Lt Col Imrul Hasan took over the operation on Saturday and changed its name to ‘Operation Twilight’.

They cut off gas and electricity connections in Shibbari and managed to rescue 78 civilians unharmed from the building amid heavy gunfire.

Two consecutive explosions took place within a one-kilometre radius of the buildings on Saturday evening killing two police officials and four others.
 
While briefing the media Sunday evening, Brig Gen Fakhrul Ahsan said at least two militants were dead but there were more "well-trained operatives" inside the house. 

He said the militants had small arms, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). They were wearing suicide vests, and had booby-trapped the buildings using bombs. 

The commandos went inside the building on Monday morning after creating holes on the walls on two sides of the building while gunfire and explosions were being heard. 

Smoke was seen billowing out of the building which the fire service managed to put out later. 

On Monday evening, Brig Fakhrul Ahsan told reporters that the army has gained control of the building after eliminating four suspects.    

There were three males and one female among the dead. Among them two bodies, of a man and a woman, were handed to police. 

Brig Gen Ahsan, however, said the operation would continue because of the "massive amount of explosives" stored inside the building.
 
"We are all very proud of this brave operation. You can be proud too. Thanks to your prayers, we have ended this siege without any casualties on our side."

Four explosions were heard before army handed over the charge of 'Atia Mahal' to police on Tuesday afternoon. Law enforcers said they were diffusing bombs.

Army used one drone and other upgraded technology to define the position of explosives inside the building. 

Police's primary examination report, conducted at the crime scene, said the female militant died after setting herself on fire while the male died in a suicide explosion. 

Autopsy on the two bodies were conducted at Osmani Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday noon.